One of the most famous people that ever called the swamps of Key West home was the writer Ernest Hemingway.  He was rarely seen without a drink in his hand in his latter years.

If you want to drink like Hemingway you first need give up on the idea that you are going to get drunk on beer. Hemingway only really enjoyed getting drunk on the hard stuff an when he was living in Key West; Hemingway’s favorite drink was rum.

Key West is a rum town and that is evidenced by all of the Rum Bars that are in Key West. In fact one of the most famous of these is located at 1117 Duval Street and actually called the Rum Bar.  This place was originally owned by Raul Vasques (1890-1957) who was a real rum runner in Florida. The bartender here is likely to serve you the best quality rum available in all of the state.

Another great bar in Key West is Blue Heaven at 729 Thomas Treet.  This is an old wooden outdoor bar, which used to be a brothel that featured wrestling matches. Hemingway drank a lot of rum here and so should you.  If you get too hot you can always rinse of in the outdoor shower.

Another famous bar in Key West is The Green Parrot, which is at 601 Whitehead. This bar has been around since 1890 and was named Playboy Magazine’s bar with the sexiest bartenders in 2010.

You can also get an amazing rum cocktail at Captain Tony’s Saloon on Green Street.  This yellow building was the original Sloppy Joe’s where Hemmingway drank steadily from 1933 to 1937.  You can drink Hemignway’s favorite drink here- The Papa Dobles.  The Papa Dobles is rum, lime, grapefruit and a few drops of maraschino cherry juice.

There is also a Sloppy Joe’s Bar at 201 Duval.  It got its name because back then it was part seafood market and part bar.  The best drink to order here is a quality rum in a Cuba Libre.

If you are looking for a wild time complete with a barbecue and plenty of hot babes then, comedians, fire eaters and dogs that ask you for tips for the waiters then make sure you check out the Hog’s Breath Saloon at 400 Front Street.

Hemingway thought drinking first thing in the morning but a permissible time to start is about four pm.  You don’t want to get so drunk you fall on your face.